[Value of sonography, computed tomography and angiography in adrenal diagnosis]. / Wertigkeit von Sonographie, Computertomographie und Angiographie in der Nebennierendiagnostik.

Between 1979 and 1982, 47 patients with pathological process of the adrenals were surgically treated after preceding thorough non-evasive angiographic diagnosis (6 phaeochromocytomas, 20 adrenal adenomas, 8 adrenal hyperplasias, 5 adrenal carcinomas, 5 adrenal cysts and 3 adrenal metastases). The most consistently accurate results were obtained via adrenal phlebography with an accuracy of 94%. This was followed by non-evasive computed tomography (87%). Compared with the data given in literature, hormone determination in the adrenal venous blood was less favourable (79%). Selective adrenal arteriography, which was used less often, yielded correct results in 83% of the cases, whereas the number of accurate diagnoses achieved via sonography was lowest with 54%.

Stereotactic biopsy using computed tomography.

A stereotactic apparatus for percutaneous needle biopsy under computed tomographic (CT) control is described. A program was developed that allows the transfer of CT data to the stereotactic apparatus. No artifacts of the CT images are caused by the stereotactic apparatus. Preliminary results in 36 patients (34 biopsies and two nerve blocks) are reported.

[Computer tomographic diagnosis of lung abscess and pleural empyema]. / Computertomographische Diagnostik von Lungenabszessen und Pleuraempyemen.

Lung abscesses are characterised by irregular air spaces with non-homogeneous necrosis. Pleural empyemas often assume a sickle shape up against the thoracic wall and tend to be homogeneous. Problems in differential diagnosis may occur if the process is not confined to an exact anatomic position. A peripheral perforating abscess is isolated from the tracheobronchial system by thickened pleura and by its capsule; even if computer tomography does not show clear-cut findings, operative intervention is indicated.

[The role of computer tomography in staging of carcinomas of the bladder (author's transl)]. / Die Rolle der Computeromographie beim Staging von Harnblasenkarzinomen.

Carcinomas of the bladder can be demonstrated in various ways, such as examination with contrast medium before and after micturition, and filling with CO2 as suggested by Seidelmann. The procedure should be chosen depending on one's aim. We examined patients who had already been diagnosed when the bladder was full of urine, in order to confirm doubtful findings, and after micturition in order to demonstrate the smallest volume to which radiotherapy can be given. Computer tomography has proved valuable; in 33% of 54 patients staging had to be revised upwards.

[Computer tomographic staging of prostatic carcinomas (author's transl)]. / Computertomographisches Staging des Prostatakarzinoms.

The diagnosis of carcinoma of the prostate depends on well proven urological methods. Computer tomography provides valuable additional information, such as tumour spread beyond the prostate, to lymph nodes and to the skeleton. It is an important requirement for proper radiotherapy and can be used to control treatment. In 14% out of 62 patients is use resulted in a change in staging. These patients, who had originally been asigned to local radiotherapy, were treated by an extended field technique or hormone therapy as a result of the information provided by CT.